Dozens of young men are hurt or killed each year in motorcycle accidents on Aug 14. They drive their bikes on one wheel, or drive standing up or lying down or facing the wrong way, usually without a helmet and with a passenger in tow.
The city police and traffic police have both vowed to crack down on them, but motorcyclists say they will not be deterred.
The CCPO set up special teams to take immediate action against motorcyclists and also set up control rooms at SPs’ offices to cope with emergencies on August 14.
Chief Traffic Officer DIG Tariq Masood Yasin said that traffic police would take stern action against motorcyclists who perform wheelies or drive bikes without silencers. Motorcycle stunts, he said, were becoming more common and “pose a serious threat not only to the lives of the youngsters, but also to other road users”.
But young motorcyclists said the police would not be able to stop them. “When I’m on the road I keep a lookout for the police. If I see that they cannot get to me or are not looking at me, I perform my stunt,” said Arsalan Ahmed, adding,“No doubt one-wheeling is dangerous, but there is no harm in it on special occasions. It’s only for Eid days or on Independence Day and New Year’s Eve,” he said.
Muhammad Adeel said he went out with his friends on motorcycles every year despite the police arrangements and he would do the same this year. “They make some arrests every time, but that is not enough to curb this sport,” he said.
Gulberg’s Main Boulevard, Jail Road, The Mall and Canal Road are the most popular roads for these motorcyclists.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 14th, 2010.
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